At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic planning and development for a greener energy future.
- Company: Join a family of brands revolutionising energy systems.
- Benefits: £50,000 salary, flexible working, mentorship, and career growth.
- Other info: Open to military leavers and elite athletes; supportive community awaits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a FTSE100 company while transitioning your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic planning and project management tools.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Join us, be part of more. We're so much more than an energy company. We're a family of brands revolutionising how we power the planet. We're energisers. One team of 21,000 colleagues that's energising a greener, fairer future by creating an energy system that doesn't rely on fossil fuels, whilst living our powerful commitment to igniting positive change in our communities. Here, you can find more purpose, more passion, and more potential. That's why working here is #MoreThanACareer.
A programme designed to help you thrive during career transition. We're delighted to open applications for our Military & Elite Athlete Talent Placement Programme - September 2026 Intake. This programme is designed to support you as you transition into a new career. Whether you're leaving the Armed Forces or finishing an elite sporting career, we welcome the experience, discipline and resilience you bring. You'll gain hands-on experience in a FTSE100 organisation, receive tailored support, and join a community that values who you are and what you can offer. We have five placement roles available, and Strategy & Planning Manager role is one of them.
What you'll do:
- The Strategy and Corporate Development team are responsible for setting the strategic vision, ambition and direction for Centrica Business. They translate this into business plans and performance measures used to track delivery and measure success.
- Working closely with the Director of Strategy and Planning, you'll have primary accountability for developing the Business Unit's Strategic Plan, ensuring it is clear, coherent and actionable.
- You'll then monitor the delivery of the plan and make recommendations for adjustments to ensure strategic success.
During your placement you will:
- Translate strategic ideas into a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Business Unit.
- Work with Strategy, Commercial, Operations and Tech teams to understand business vision, ambition and objectives.
- Coordinate cross-functional input and alignment to ensure the plan is executable.
- Report progress against the Strategic Plan to the MD and Centrica Business Leadership Team.
- Deliver high quality stakeholder management across the spectrum of senior and peer stakeholders to ensure buy-in.
- Continuously challenge and improve ways of working seeking to optimise efficiency whilst delivering commercial success.
- Operate in a complex, ambiguous environment, solving problems that are not clearly defined.
- Apply structured, logical thinking to bring clarity to ambiguity.
- Make informed decisions on planning approach, milestones, sequencing and prioritisation.
- Work autonomously to identify risks, issues & dependencies, taking proactive action.
- Adapt plans in response to changing priorities or emerging information.
- Balance competing priorities and trade-offs (e.g. speed vs rigour, ambition vs deliverability).
What we're looking for:
We're looking for potential, not perfection. You don't need to meet every requirement to apply: We'd love to see:
- Deep experience within strategic and campaign planning.
- Proven ability to translate high-level strategy into concrete plans, milestones and deliverables.
- Experience leading planning processes, turning strategy into a fully executed, successful plan.
- Exceptional digital literacy; ability to structure complex strategic inputs into clear, useable datasets and plans.
- An ability to design the planning system - not just operate it.
- Expert use of Excel and Powerpoint, building robust planning tools and exec-ready visualisations.
- Experience in project management toolsets: Microsoft Planner, Project, Visio/Miro, PowerBI.
- Strong ability to integrate and exploit AI to maximise efficiency and output.
- Expert communicator - able to structure written reports and presentations for full range of stakeholders, ensuring informed, risk aware, agile decision-making.
- An absolute, resolute focus on delivery.
- PM qualifications or experience operating within environments using methodologies such as Agile or Scrum is desirable.
On placement you'll also have a dedicated business mentor, opportunities to meet senior leaders, and plenty of support to settle into your role.
This placement is open to:
- Military Service Leavers: leaving the Forces or within the 2-year CTP window at application.
- Elite Athletes: international competition experience and/or professional UK sports experience within the last three years.
We recognise excellence: We want you to feel included, supported and able to succeed. On placement you'll receive:
- Real project & transformation experience in a FTSE100 organisation.
- £50,000 salary for the 12-month placement.
- A dedicated mentor to help you build commercial skills.
- Flexible working and travel to office locations when collaboration is needed.
- Access to our Employee Networks.
- A Buddy from our Ex-Military or Athlete communities.
- For Service Leavers: the chance to begin placement during your final four resettlement weeks.
How to apply:
Please upload one document (Word or PDF) that includes:
- Personal Statement (max 750 words). Tell us: Which placement role you're applying for, How your skills, experience, capabilities and personal qualities align to the role.
- CV (max 2 pages). Highlight your: Transferable skills related to the role & your key achievements, Qualifications, Military or athletic experience.
Key dates:
- Application deadline: midnight Friday 26th June.
- Screening Interviews - online: Will take place in June - mid July.
- Business Area Interviews - face to face: July and August at one of our office locations.
- Placement Start Date: You must be able to start on Wednesday 30th September.
If you need any reasonable adjustments during the process, please let us know - we're happy to support you.
Not available in September 2026? We'll also be offering placements in March 2027, June 2027 and September 2027. The application process for March will likely open in November.
If this placement isn't the right fit, you can explore more.
Why should you apply? We're not a perfect place - but we're a people place. Our priority is supporting all of the different realities our people face. Life is about so much more than work. We get it. That's why we've designed our total rewards to give you the flexibility to choose what you need, when you need it, making sure that you and your family are supported not only financially, but physically and emotionally too.
Help us, help you. We would love for you to share any information about yourself throughout our recruitment process so that we can better understand you and help shape your journey.
Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Brighton employer: Centrica - CHP
At Centrica, we pride ourselves on being more than just an energy company; we are a community dedicated to fostering a greener and fairer future. Our Military & Elite Athlete Talent Placement Programme offers a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth, providing tailored support, mentorship, and real project experience within a FTSE100 organisation. With a flexible working environment and a commitment to employee well-being, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to thrive in their career transition.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn, especially those in the Strategy and Planning team. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by practising common questions related to strategic planning. Think about how your military or athletic experience translates into the skills they’re looking for. We want to see that you can adapt and thrive!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in the past. This will highlight your ability to operate in ambiguous environments, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our family of brands and contributing to a greener future.
We think you need these skills to ace Military & Athlete 2026 Talent Placement - Strategy and Planning Manager in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Personal Statement:Your personal statement is your chance to shine! Make sure to clearly outline which placement role you're applying for and how your unique skills and experiences align with the Strategy and Planning Manager position. Keep it engaging and authentic – we want to see the real you!
Tailor Your CV:When it comes to your CV, don’t just send a generic one. Highlight your transferable skills and key achievements that are relevant to the role. Remember, we’re looking for potential, so showcase your military or athletic experience in a way that demonstrates your strategic thinking and planning abilities.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Whether it's your personal statement or CV, make sure your writing is straightforward and easy to follow. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon. We want to understand your journey without getting lost in the details!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the application process right there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Centrica - CHP
✨Know Your Strategy
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's strategic vision and recent initiatives. Understand how your skills in strategic planning can align with their goals. This will not only show your interest but also help you articulate how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your military or athletic background that demonstrate your ability to lead planning processes and translate strategies into actionable plans. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Master the Tools
Familiarise yourself with the project management tools mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Planner and PowerBI. If you can, bring a sample of a planning tool or visualisation you've created in the past to showcase your digital literacy and problem-solving skills.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would manage relationships with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss your approach to stakeholder management and how you ensure buy-in from senior leaders. This is crucial for the role, so having a few strategies ready will impress your interviewers.
